Giger: Good riddance to fake rivalry with Michigan State

Commentary

November 25, 2010

Good riddance to college football's biggest fake rivalry and to its ugliest, most ridiculous trophy.

Seriously, has any Penn State fan ever bought into this whole Michigan State season-ending game?

Talk about a big yawner. While Nittany Lion faithful are wishing for a renewal of the Pitt rivalry and watching the likes of Ohio State vs. Michigan and Auburn vs. Alabama on the final weekend of the regular season, Penn State has been stuck with Michigan State.

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The Land Grant Trophy

And the Land Grant Trophy. The hideous Large Gross Trophy, which was designed by former Sparty coach George Perles, who meant well but flopped with the weird design.

Perles had good intentions when he approached Joe Paterno and PSU about establishing a season-ending game when the Lions joined the Big Ten. It's nice to have some consistency, but you can't force tradition, and there was no way this made-up, year-ending game was ever going to be wildly popular.

This year it comes to an end, at least for the time being and in its current form.

The Big Ten will have two divisions starting next year, and PSU and MSU will be on opposite sides. The teams will not play either of the next two years, and while they will meet on occasion down the road, it's doubtful to be in the season-ender.

Officials from both schools should take this as a cue and do away with the Land Grant Trophy. It has outlived its value, which was close to nil to begin with.

One of the best things about this "rivalry" is that it looks like it will end with a good matchup and a lot of intrigue.

Michigan State can win a share of the Big Ten title by beating PSU on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. At 10-1, the Spartans have a shot at the Rose Bowl, although they will be on the outside looking in with the tiebreakers if both Ohio State and Wisconsin win this week.

The Lions, meanwhile, are looking for a signature win after beating mediocre teams and getting hammered by 20 or more points in their four losses.

It should be a good game. But as everyone knows: It's not a rivalry.

Cory Giger is the host of "Sports Central" from 4 to 6 p.m. daily on ESPN Radio 1430 WVAM. He can be reached at 949-7031 or cgsports12@aol.com.